AMA rejects calls to arm hospital security guards

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has rejected calls for security guards at Victoria's hospitals to be armed with guns.

The Health Services Union says hospitals are becoming increasingly dangerous and weapons are needed to protect both the public and the guards.

AMA state president Stephen Parnis says having guards carry guns would make hospitals even more dangerous.

"This isn't about standing outside a nightclub or doing any other security work," he said.

"When we know these people are trained and work in the team together, you can reduce harm quite dramatically.

"There's very good evidence that shows there are certain ways to reduce violence and they're the things that should be implemented, such as having highly trained, in-house security guards to work with doctors and nurses to actually reduce the violence."